Dowel pinning machine



Jan. 26,- 1954 K. D. REVELL DOWEL PINNING MACHINE 9 Shee'ts-Sheet l Filed April 9, 1951 llas-LIEF Inventar Ker'w'n D. Reve/l md5/may Attorneys s Jan. 26, 1954 K. D. REVELL DOWEL PINNING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9, 1951 Karyin. D. Reve/l gf Attorneys Jan. 2'6, 1954 K. D. REVELL DOWEI.. PINNING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 1951 Nh? x Inventar Ken/m D. Reve/l Y QN r...)

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DOWEL PINN ING MACHINE Filed April 9, 1951 9 sheets-sheet e I nventor Kerv/n D. Reve/l By gm m Filed April 9, 1951 asa /6 522 K. D. REVELL DOWEL PINNING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 NELQ. u

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Jan. 26, 1954 K. D. REVELL DowEr. PlNNING MACHINE 9 sheets-sheet s Filed April 9, 1951 Jan. 26, 1954 K. D. REVELL DOWEI.. PINNING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 9, 1951 NQ Q2 mm NQ @Q Inventor Kerr/'n D. Reve/l Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOWEL PINNING MACHINE Kervin D. Revell, Wauchula, Fla. Application April 9, 1951, Serial No. 220,077

(Cl. D14- 31) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a machine for fabricating structure to be used in the manufacture of crates, and more particularly pertains to mechanism for automatically and continuously securing blocks of wood, or the like, together by means of dowel pins and a suitable adhesive agent.

The primary object of this invention is to drill holes in blocks, position the blocks in spaced relation to each other with the holes therein in alignment, position the dowel pin between the spaced blocks in alignment with the holes therein, and to then press the blocks together to properly seat the dowel pin in the holes,

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a machine of this character in which means is provided for yielding during urging of the blocks together in the event the dowel pin is not properly aligned with the dowel pin receiving openings in the blocks, so that operation of the machine will not be halted by such a stoppage or portions of the machine broken.

Still another important object of the presentv invention, closely allied to the preceding objects, is to clean and condition the adjacent surfaces of the blocks to be complementary to each other before the blocks are pushed together, so that a tight joint will be formed between the blocks.

Yet another important object of this invention is to apply a suitable binding or adhesive agent to the dowel pin before the blocks are pushed together.

Further objects of this invention are to trim the sides of the panel formed by pinning of the blocks together and to cut an opening in one side of the panels to serve as a hand-hold opening when the completed panel is assembled in a crate.

Other important objects of this invention are to provide a machine of this character which may be manufactured at a relatively low cost, which will be reliable and durable in operation, and which will require very little supervision and only necessitate the supply of raw materials thereto.

A meritorious feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for feeding blocks to the drilling machine, and the structure affording the coordination between the removal'of the blocks from the feeding hoppers and the movements of the drilling machine, whereby a drilled block is removed from a feeding hopper and a new block placed in position to be drilled while a block in the other feeding hopper is being drilled.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the conveying means and the aligning means, and the structure affording coordination between the operation of such means so as to move each pair of blocks into the pusher o1' pinning station With the blocks properly spaced and the holes therein in alignment for the proper positioning of the dowel pins therebetween.

Still another important feature of the present invention resides in the structure at the pinning station for holding the blocks against longitudinal movement and for yieldingly urging the blocks together in synchronization with the delivery of drilled blocks to the pinning station.

Yet another notable feature of the present invention resides in the structure for delivering dowel pins with glue applied thereto to a position adjacent the pinning station, together with the structure synchronized in movement with block pushing structure for moving dowel pins to and holding the same in proper relation to the blocks until the opposite ends of such pins are beginning to enter the holes in the blocks.

Filial important features to be specifically enumerated herein reside in the means for trimming the opposite ends of the pinned blocks, together with the transversely reciprocating carriage for moving the pinned blocks into the rotary cutter, and the means affording the synchronization between the delivery of pinned blocks to this carriage and the reciprocation of the carriage.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are each fragmentary plan views of the machine drawn to the same scale and, taken together, constitute a top plan view of the entire machine, with certain details being shown in dotted lines in these views;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse Vertical sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 4 4 of Figure 1, and in which an alternative position of the aligning mechanism is shown in dotted outline;

Figure 5 is another enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 5 5 of Figure 2, hidden details being indicated in dotted outline and the aligning mechanism being shown in the alternative position in dotted outline;

Figure 6 is an enlarged broken transverse secthe broken section line the machine in a subsethat shown in Figtional view taken upon G-ii of Figure 2, showing quent stage of operation than ure 2;

Figure '7 is an enlarged broken longitudinal sectional View of the machine, this view being taken upon the plane of the section line 1-1 of Figure 2:

Figure 8 is another enlarged longitudinal sectional view, `thisview being taken upon `the .plane of section line 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partially in section, illustrating the construction of a portion of the aligning mechanism;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the hand-hold cutting mechanism ,shown in Figures 2 and 6, certain hidden details being shown in dashed outline;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary kdetail view of the chain construction for moving the blocks; Y

Figure 12 is an enlarged top plan detail -view of a portion of the dowel pin 52 mechanism, this view being taken upon the plane of the line l2-l2 of Figure 5, and in which an alternative position assumed by the'same is shown in'dotted lines;

vFigure 13 is'a top plan View of the machine with portions thereof removed to illustrate par-- ticularly the power `trains and the manner in which the operation of the various assemblies is synchronized for continuous operation;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the finished product, with the dowel pins vtherein indicated in dotted lines;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, this view being taken upon the plane of the broken section 'line l5--I5 in Figure 1;

Figure V16 is also a fragmentary vertical sectional detail View, this view -being taken upon the plane of the broken section line lB--lB in Figure l1;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional detail view taken upon the plane of the Section line ll--Il in Figure 2; and

Figure 18 VVis a vertical sectional detail view, this view being taken upon the plane of the section line IB-IS in Figure 1.

Reference is now made more specifically tothe accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and in which the reference numeral 'l0 designates the dowel pinning machine generally.

In general, and as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the machine 'IQ comprises an elongated frame I2 of any suitable construction and which is preferably of welded Asteel construction. ,Adjacent one end of the frame lI2 'is mounted a drilling machine or assembly lli which reciprocates to alternately drill openings 2in the adjacent sides of blocks IS supplied tothe machine l0 in the feed 'hoppers or chutes I8 Yand 20.

Conveyor chains 22 and 24 are adapted to alternately move the blocks IB from the hoppers I8 and V2t as they are drilled along Vthe top 2b of the frame l2 along parallel 'paths in the direction indicated by the arrow 23.

During the movement of the blocks It from the drilling assembly I4, the adjacent sides of the blocks I6 are planed by the -joiners 30 and 32, which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Inasmuch as the chains 22 and 24 travel at the same velocity, the blocks i6 proceed in staggered relation past the joiners and 32, and it is therefore necessary, before the blocks l5 lcan be pinned together, to place the blocks IB in side-by-side relation. For this purpose, an alignment mechanism, designated generally at 34, is provided, which receives the blocks I6 moved by the chain 24 from the hopper 26, and moves the same toward the chain 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow 3E to position such blocks on the conveyor chain 38. The con- Veyorchain 38, like chain22, travels .in the direction indicated by the arrowt, and at the same velocity. As will be more fully described subsequently, the character and timing of the chains '22, 24, 38 and the aligning mechanism 3 are Vsuch that the blocks It will travel in side-by-side relation on the chains 22 and 38, as indicated in Vphantom lines 42 and lill, respectively. To facilitate an understanding of the operation of the aligning mechanism 34, the simultaneous position of a pair of blocks is indicated in full lines at 46 and 48, before the .latter is acted upon by the aligning mechanism 35i.

The chains 22 and 33 move the blocks to -a pinning station, designated generally at 5B. It is at the pinning station that the Ypair of blocks moving thereinto are first vproperly positioned in spaced relation with the bores therein in alignment, after which dowel pins with glue applied thereto are placed between the blocks to be received in the openings inthe blocks, and iinally the blocks are pushed together to complete the pinning operation. The structure for performing Ythe above operation `at the pinning station 50 will be described and the operation thereof explained in detail presently.

A pair of conveyor chains 52 are Varranged to move the panel formed by pinning of the blocks together at the pinning station 5i) Vto the right as .viewedin Figure 2 and as shown by the arrow 54.

lThe chains '52 move the panel to a position to be moved by conveyor chains 56 inthe direction Vindicated by the arrow E5, that is, at right angles to the travel Vpath of the chains 52. The panels are moved by the conveyor chains `5t between a :pair of rotary saws E0 to trim the edges of the panels perpendicular to the juncture of the blocks forming the same, the-'panels being held down during the period of their engagement with the saws 60 by suitable hold-down means 62.

After passing the saws 60,. the chains 55 v-move the panels to a hand-hold cutting assembly, designated generally at Ylili. As will be presently explained in detail, the assembly Sii serves to shift Vthe Vpanels laterally from the travel path of the chains 56 to engage the rotary cutter $5 to cut a hand-hold thereinto form the completed product 68 illustrated in Figure 14.

'The completed product 63 is a rectangular shaped panel formed of blocks i8 joined by dowel pins 10 and having .a hand-hold 'i2 cut therein. It will be understood that the product E8 is particularly adapted to form the end walls of a crate construction, not shown, of which the same is to form a part.

Obviously, the proper operation of the machine I0 requires -a high degree of synchronization between the operation of `its component parts, and since the necessary synchronization is Yattained by the drive means employed vin the machine, this portion of the machine will be explained now in order to make the manner in which the `synchronization is achieved apparent as the various components are explained in detail,

Accordingly, attention is now directed to Figure 13, wherein it will be seen that the prime mover 14 drives a countershaft 16 through a belt 18 entrained over sprockets 80 and 82 fixed on the output shaft of the prime mover 14 and the shaft 16, respectively. The main shaft 84 is driven from the countershaft 15 by means of a chain 88 entrained over sprockets 88 and 90 fixed on the shafts 16 and 84, respectively.

For a reason to become apparent presently, eccentrics 92, 94, 98 and 98 are fixed on the main shaft 84.

A shaft |00, extending transversely to the lon` gitudinal dimension of the frame I2, is driven from the main shaft 84 by meshing bevel gears |02 and |04 xed on the shafts 84 and |00, respectively. Further shafts |08, |08 and II 0 are also journaled on the frame I2 transverse to the longitudinal dimension thereof and the chains 52 are entrained over sprockets I2 and ||4 xed to the shafts |00 and |06, respectively. The chain 22 is entrained over sprockets II 5 and ||8 fixed on the shafts |08 and |I0, respectively, and the chain 38 is entrained over sprockets and |22 xed on the shafts |06 and |08, respectively. In a similar manner, the chain 24 is entrained over sprockets |24 and |2 Xed on the shafts |08 and II 0, respectively. However, for a reason to become apparent subsequently, the lower flight of the chain 24 is entrained under an idler sprocket I 28 on a shaft |30 (see Figure 3).

With continued reference to Figure 13, a short, longitudinally extending shaft |32 is rotatably mounted on the frame I2 on the side thereof opposite the main shaft 84, and. the chains 56 are entrained over sprockets I 34 and |38 fixed to the shafts 84 and |32, respectively.

In addition, shafts |38, and |42 are also journaled on the frame 2 for rotation transverse to the longitudinal dimension thereof, and the shaft |38 is driven by a chain |44 entrained over the sprockets and |48 xed to the shafts |00 and |38, respectively. The shaft |40 is, in turn, driven from the shaft |38 by meshing spur gears and |52 on the shafts |38 and |40, respectively. It will be noted at this point that an eccentric |54 is fixed to the shaft |40, which, as will be seen shortly, serves to actuate the handhold cutting assembly |54. The shaft |42 is also driven from the shaft |38 by means of a chain |58 entrained over sprockets |58 and |50 fixed on the shafts |38 and |42.

It will be appreciated that by virtue of the positive gear and chain drives provided, the travel Speeds of the chains 22, 24, 38, 52, and the rotary speeds of the shafts |40 and |42 will be directly proportional to the speed of rotation of the main shaft 84. The importance of this relation will be subsequently significant.

Before leaving Figure 13, it will also be seen that the circular saws 60 are mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft |62 that is rotatably mounted on the frame I2. The shaft |82 is driven by a prime mover |84 with a belt drive entrained over pulleys I 68 and |10 xedly secured to the outlet shaft of the prime mover |04 and the shaft |62, respectively.

Proceeding to a detailed description of the machine l0, attention is first directed to Fig ures l and 3, wherein it will be seen that the drilling machine I4 comprisesa head |12 guided for sliding movement transversely of the longitudinal dimension of the frame I2 by pairs of guide rails |14 suitably secured to the frame I2, as clearly shown in the drawings.

6. Three aligned pairs of bearings |16 are mounted on the head |12 and have three parallel spindles |18 rotatably journaled therethrough. The opposite ends of each of the spindles |18 have drill bits |80 suitably secured thereto, it being noted that the bits |80 adjacent one end of the head |12 have a right-hand twist while the others have a left-hand twist. The head |12 carries a mounting bracket |82 which in turn supports an electric motor |84, and the armature shaft |80 of the motor is provided with a triple grooved pulley |88 that drives the spindles |18 by means of three drive belts |90 entrained over the pulley |88 and the sprockets |92 suitably mounted and secured on the spindles |18.

The head |12 is reciprocated by means of the eccentric collar |04 on the eccentric 82 and an arm |96 on the collar |94 pivoted at |08 to a depending bracket 200 carried by the head |12. As clearly shown in Figure 3, each full revolution of the shaft 84 will reciprocate the head |12 to cause the drill bits |80 to sequentially drill the lowermost blocks I6 in the hoppers I8 and 20.

It is contemplated that the drilling assembly I4 may utilize drill bits all having the same direction of twist, if desired, inasmuch as this may be accomplished by merely utilizing an electric motor |84 that is reversible, and incorporating electric switch means, not shown, for controlling the direction of rotation of the motor that would be, in turn, actuated by movement of the head |12 to cause the motor to turn in one direction when the head |12 completes its movement in one direction, and to cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction when the head |12 completes its movement in the opposite direction.

It is also considered feasible that the drilling assembly I4 may be xedly secured to the frame |2, and suitable means operated by the shaft 84, such as the carriage moving means to be presently described that is used in connection with the cutter assembly 84, be provided for causing the necessary relative movement of the blocks relative to the drilling assembly I4 for the drilling of the blocks I6. Such an alternative construction has not been illustrated herein for the reason that the illustrated form of the invention is thought to be considerably more preferable.

Throughout the hereinbefore described movements of the blocks I 8 as urged by the chains 22, 24, 38, 52 and 56, the blocks I8 are slidingly supported on the horizontal top 28 of the machine. The upper ilight of each of the chains 22, 2438, 52 and 58 is disposed in a suitable slot in the top 28. Since each of the chains is provided with identical means for engaging the blocks I6, a detailed description of only one such means is thought to be sufficient for all the chains. As shown in connection with conveyor chains 22 in Figure 11, it will be seen that an upstanding lug 202 is secured to the chain that extends upwardly above the upper surface of the top 26 to engage a block I5 supported thereon in the manner illustrated.

A s best shown in Figures l, fi, the chutes or hoppers i8 and 28 are of identical construe tion and in the preferred construction shown are formed of angle iron members arranged as shown and suitably iixed to the tcp lt will be seen that the members 284 of each of the hcppers are suiciently spaced to permit the bits |80 to enter the lowermost blocks it therein. In. addition, the hoppers i8 and 2i? directly overlie the chains 22 and 24, respectively, with the members 204 of each hopper being spaced a sufficient distance apart on opposite sides of the respective chainsto permit the lugs 292 thereon to travel through the lower portion of the hopper to engage the lowermost block therein, it being noted that the members 224 are cut out, as at 206, to permit the lowermost block to move from the hopper upon engagement of a lug 2212 therewith. It will be noted that interference between the operation of the arm ISS with the chain '24 during. reciprocation of the drilling assembly I4 is avoided by entraining the lower flight of the `chain 24 under the sprocket 122 (see Figure 3).

It will be apparent, as thus far described, that the frequency of reciprocation of the drilling assembly l. varies in direct ratio to the speed yof advance oiE the chains 22 and 24. Upon this basis, the lugs 2132 are spaced on the chains 22 and 24 in staggered relation to each other, so that a lug 222 on the chain 22 will remove a block i6 from the hopper I2 while the lowermost block I6 in the hopper 2Q is being drilled, and vice versa.

The joiners 32 and 32 are for the purpose oi conditioning the adjacent sides of the blocks -ior the subsequent pinning operation, and are arranged between the travel paths of the chains 22 and 24 for planing the blocks travelling thereon respectively.

As best shown in Figures l, e, and l5, the joiner 3i] comprises a block guide 222 in which a cutter head or rotary planer 2m is rotatably journaled for rotation in a suitable recess 2 i2 therein. The shaft 2 i 4 of the planer I@ Yis driven by means of an electric motor 2 l 2 with a belt 2&2 entrained over pulleys 225 and 222 fixed on the shaft 2id and the armature shaft of the motor 21S, respectively. The block guide 228 and the motor 2li; are mounted for vertical adjustment, respectively on vertical frame members 224 and 226 by fasteners 228 and 23B that are received in vertical adjustment slots, not shown, in the members 22 and 226, the arrangement being such that the entire vertical height ci the planer 2li! may be utilized before sharpening of the same is neces sary.

As best shown in Figures l, 16 and 18, the joiner 32 comprises a block guide 232, which, like the guide 22S, has a rotary planer 234 rotatably mounted in a suitable recess 235 therein. The shaft 238 of the planer 234 is driven from an electric motor 24B through a drive belt 242 `cntrained over pulleys 224i and 246 fixed on the shaft 238 and the armature shaft of the electric motor 240, respectively. Vertical upright supports 2128 are Xedly secured to the frame I2, such supports having vertical adjustment slots 250 therein. The motor 24E) is secured to a plate 252 by fasteners 254, and the plate is vertically adjustable with respect to the supports l2118 by means of bolts 25E extending through suitable apertures in the plate 252, the slots 250, and threaded into the guide '232, whereby the joiner 32 may be adjusted vertically as a unit to utilize the entire length of the planer 234 before resharpening the same.

Means is provided for yieldingly urging the blocks i6 into engagement with the guides 268 and 232, with only the means used in connection with the guide 248 shown, inasmuch as the construction employed in each case is identical. As shown in Figure l, such means used in connection with the guide 22! comprises arms 258 pivoted to vertical pins 255i carried by the frame l2, such arms 253 being yieldingly urged toward the guide 2538 by arms 252 secured to the arms 252 and connected to tension springs 224 suitably anchored to the frame I2, it being noted that move- 8 l ment ofthe arms v258 'towards the guide 222 is limited by engagement of the arms 252 with sich pins 266. As readily apparent, the arms 258 serve to guide the blocks I6 and to yieldingly urge the same into engagement with the planer.

The alignment mechanism 34 is best shown in Figures l, 4, and 9, wherein there is shown a bellcrank including arms 258 and 210- pivoted to a frame extension 212 at 214. The outer extreAJ ity `of the arm 258 is pivoted to an arm 215 carried by a collar 218 on the eccentric 24 in an adjustable manner by a pivot bolt 280 extending through a selected one of the apertures 222 provided in the arm 216. The outer extremity of the arm 21B is similarly pivoted at 225 to a further arm 28E. The arm 286 projects downwardly towards the top 26 and has a bar '283 secured transversely to its under side adjacent its lower end, which bar 288 is adapted to slide on the top 26 during oscillation oi" the arm 212, as caused by the rotation of the shaft 82.

While the bar 288 slides on the surface or the top 26 during movement from the full-line position of the `same to the dotted line position thereof, as shown in Figure 4, means is provided to elevate the bar 282 during the latter portion of its return movement to the full-line position from the dotted-line position. Such means comprises a pair of ramps 299 pivoted, as at 292, to the inturned portions of a pair of brackets 294 carried by the Vframe $2 above the top 22. As an inspection of the drawings will reveal, the bar 233 slides under the ramp 290 during movements toward the dotted line position, but on return movement towards the full-line position, the outer end portions of the bar 288 ride up on the ramp 222 to drop therebehind on passing the pivot 292.

It will thus be appreciated that as previously described, the aligning mechanismy 22, through the action of the bar 288, moves blocks l5 received from the conveyor chain 2li to the conveyor chain 32. Inasmuch as a single `block in the hopper 22 is drilled by the assembly lll and a single block is moved by the mechanism 34 during the full revolution of the shaft 84, it is but a simple matter to synchronize the operation oi the components. This may be easily accomplished in several ways, such as by properly setting the angular relation of the eccentrics 92 and 2d, spacing the mechanism 34 from the assembly i4, or by selecting a suitable speed ratio for the conveyor chains 22 and 24 to the shaft Bri (with appropriate spacing of the lugs 202). However, with the provision of the ramps 292, the operative stroke of the bar 223 may lag considerably behind the delivery of a block I6 to the mechanism 32, as will be evident.

The lugs 222 on the conveyor chain 32 are so spaced and the over-all lengths of the conveyor chains 22 and 38 so related that the lugs 282 on the upper ights of these chains travel side by side. It will thus be seen that if the bar 283 moves a block I6 into position over the chain 33 before the block travelling on the chain 22 has arrived alongside thereof, the block on the chain 3S will remain stationary until engaged by a lug 222 on the chain 38, so that the blocks will be moved toward the pinning station 5i! only when they are in side-by-side relation.

In order to lassist the guiding of a block on the 'chain 22 into the pinning station 5i), an adjustable side guide rail 295 (see Figure l) is provided. Adjustment of the rail 295 towards and away from the chain 22 vis afforded by the mounting straps 298 ofthe rail 29S having slots 322 V9 therein, with fasteners 332 extending through the slots 3BG to secure the rail to the frame i2.

The construction of the pinning station 50 includes means for holding the blocks IS temporarily against the movement longitudinally of the frame i2, this construction being best shown in Figure 7. As the blocks i3 approach the end of movement afforded the same by the chains 22 and 38, the blocks I3 engage spring-biased fingers 304 pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 303. The ngers 334 are biased by springs 33S from the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 7 towards the full-line position, such tension springs 308 being suitably secured to the fingers d and anchored to brackets 3 i Q carried by a rigid frame member 312, with the member 3i2 serving as a stop, as clearly shown in the drawings.

Movement or the blocks It by the chains 22 and 38 moves the ngers 354 towards the dottedline position thereof and serves to position the forward ends of the blocks I under hold-down straps 31d carried by a further rigid frame member 3io, which, like member SI2, is suitably secured to the frame i2. Latches SIB are pivoted to brackets 32B carried by a transverse element 322 of the frame i2 disposed above the top 25, as at 324. As will be evident, the blocks le are free to pass to the right under the latches 3l3, as viewed at 21. However, once the rear ends of the blocks iii have cleared the dogs 325 on the latches 3i8, reverse movement of the blocks is prevented thereby.

The arrangement of sprockets H6 and |23 for the chains 22 and 38, respectively, with respect to the lingers 334 and the latches 3 i 3 is such that, prior to the disengagement of the lugs 232 on such chains with the blocks, the rear ends of the blocks will have moved past the dogs 326 and the lingers are engaged and moved by the blocks so that, upon disengagement of the lugs 292 with the blocks i6, the same are held against longitudinal movement relative to the frame i2 and in a predetermined relation to each other, inasmuch as a spring nger 35d and a latch BIB are provided for each pair of blocks. As clearly shown in Figure '7, the chains 52 travel under the blocks I6, when the latter are so positioned at the pinning station 58, so that when the side-by-side arranged lugs 202 on the chains 52 pass through the pinning station 513, the chains 52 move the blocks I6 from the pinning station 5i?, the fingers 363s yielding suiciently to permit this movement. It will be understood, however, that suflicient time will elapse from the time the blocks are disengaged by the lugs 232 on the chains 22 and 38 before the blocks are engaged by lugs 202 on the chains 52 that the blocks will have beenpinned together in the manner now to be explained.

Means 328 is provided for pushing the blocks I6 together after the same are engaged by the latches 3|8 and the ngers 394 and before the lugs 232 on the chains 52 engage the same. As best shown in Figures 2, 5 and 7, such means 323 comprises a sectional pusher rod 330 with a pusher plate 332 attached thereto and a pusher rod 334 with a pusher plate 333 attached thereto, such plates 332 and 333 being in opposed relation. The pusher rods 33E] and 334i are mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in aligned bearing sleeves 338 and SL35, respectively, mounted on opposite sides of the frame I2.

The ends of the rods 330 and 334 adjacent the shaft 34 are provided with rigid depending arms 342 and 3M, respectively, and these arms have pivotal connection to arms 346 andV 3613 carried by collars 350 and 352 rotatably secured on the eccentrics and 98, respectively, it being noted that the eccentrics St and 98 have opposite dwells, whereby rotation of the main shaft Si causes the plates 332 and 336 to reciprocate in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows 351i and 353. As clearly shown in the drawings, the plates 332 and 33E are so arranged with respect to the top 26 that the blocks I3 will be between the plates 332 and 335 and have the opposite sides thereof engaged by the plates.

As mentioned above, the pusher rod 33t is sectional, tlie saine being formed of sections 358 and 353. rIhe latter-mentioned section 336 is provided at one end with an enlarged collar 362 which slidingly and guidingly receives the adjacent end portion of the section 358. Sections 358 and 330 are resiliently biased apart by a coiled compression spring 364 embracing the section 353 and seated between the collar 362 and a collar 353 fixed on the section 358, the arrangement being such that the spring 364 will yield and permit telescoping of the pusher rod 33d upon the plates 332 and 336 meeting resistance exceeding a predetermined amount in movements towards each other, such as would occur if dowl pins 'id were placed between the blocks i6 which were not in alignment with the openings 333 in the blocks Iii. It should be noted at this point that if such a malfunction in the machine it should occur, for any reason, the blocks I6, although not joined together, would be removed from the pinning station 5i) by the chains 52, so that a stoppage of the machine will not occur for this reason.

Means synchronized with the operation of the pusher rods 33S and 334 is provided for insuring the proper spacing of the blocks it before the plates 332 and 335 move towards each other, so that dowel pins 73 may be received therebetween. Such means includes a pair of spacer plates (see Figures 2, 5 and 7) 3l@ and 372 mounted for substantially Vertical movement at the pinning station 5U, the plate 32 having a finger 32's xed thereto that overlies the plate 373, so that the spacer plate 312 will rise and fall with the spacer plate 31B, as will be evident. The vertical movements of the plate 372 is guided by means of an arm 316 secured thereto and pivoted to a horizontal pivot pin 378 suitably mounted on the sleeves 338 and 3M. In a substantially analogous manner, the spacer plate 3W is supported and guided in its vertical movement by an arm 33d attached thereto and pivoted to the frame l2 for vertical swinging movement, as at 3532. The arm 38e is provided with an upstanding bracket 38d that has a vertical adjustment slot 386 therein (see Figures 5, 6 and 17). A pin 388 extends horizontally through the slot 335 to overlie the section 350 of the pusher rod 33t, the pin 388 being retained in adjusted vertical position in the slot 336 by adjustment nuts 3533 threaded on the pin 388 and engaging the opposite sides of the bracket 33d. The pin 333 rests on the top of the section* 355i and is engaged by a cam 392 on the top lof the section 36E! to raise the arm 33S, and, consequently, the spacer plates 3?@ and 372, during a predetermined portion of the movement ofthe pusher plate 332 toward the pusher plate 33t, and to permit the spacer plates 373 and 372 to descend by their own weight upon reverse movement of the pusher plate 332, as will be evident upon a perusal of the drawings. The arrangement of the pin 383 With respect to the cam 392 is such that the spacer plates 37o and 372 will be in the lowered position to be disposed between blocks i3 entering or in i pins 10i astute 11 the pinning station 50' while the pusher plates 332 and 336 are spaced apart a distance exceeding' the combined width' of the two blocks I6A and either one of the spacer plates 3-16 or 312; It will, of course, be understood that the vertical adjustment aiorded the pin 388 by theA slot 38`6'pe'rmits the spacer plates 310 and 312 to be adjusted to correspond with thel thickness ofthe blocks Hil to clear the latter upon beingvraise'd,y and that the width of the spacer plates 3101 andE 312 slightly exceeds the length of the dowel pins 10, so that the latter may be received between the blocks |6 prior tothe movement of' the blocks I6'v together b'y the action of the pusher plates 332' and 33561.

Means 394 is provided for delivering dowel pins lllV tov a position adjacent the pinning station v50 and for coating thev dowel pins 10 with a suitable binding agent or glue. This' construction best shown in Figures 2', 51 and 7, and includes a dowel pin conveying chain 30B entrainedover a sprocket BSB-fixed on the shaft |42; a sproketfllilll'iixed on a shaft 402 disposed between the shafts |06 land IBB-and in the same-horizontal plane as the shaft |42' (see Figure 13) and-a sprocket464 fixed on a shaft 406' disposed' between' and below the4 shafts |42`- and 402. The chainr 396 is provided with spaced sets oiY dowel; pin" supporting' fingers 408. The fingers 40B are formed on spaced pairs of links 4m that form" the chain 366, andthe ngers 308` are arranged toextend; upwardly from the upper flight of the chain 3196*. Thengers 408'v on each pair of chain links 410-' are, of course, trans'- versely spaced with respect tothelongitudinalv` di'- mensionof the chain 396', and have alignedY recesses 4t2 formed in their upper ends, as viewed onthe upper night of the chain 396, in which dowel pins 'i0 are received, asclearly illustrated in the drawings.

The chain 395 is driven by the shaft |42 in the direction of the arrow 4&4-, sol that dowel pins 'l0 with slightly tapering opposite ends may be manually placed on the fingers 408 on-the section of chain' 366 passing between the pinning station 5l)V andthe sprocket 368, sov that spaced sets of willv travel alongv with` the chain 396'? over the sprockets'368, 404' and 40'0- in the order listed to af position immediately below the" pinning s't'ation. 50, the pins 10- inA each set corresponding in number andspacing tothe openings` 368 in the blocksv I6: tovl be pinnedA thereby. The pins' 'i are preventedV from falling from the lower flight' of the chainl 366 by means of spacedVV guides 416, l.'- shaped incross-section (see Figure'), extending along the lower' flight of the chain 396l between the sprockets 338i and 464 and betweentlie'latter sprocket and-sprocket 400`to engage4 the oppositely extending ends of the pins-10 to retain the same irl-the recesses 412' formed in the ng'ers 408. A further guide strip 4|8 is provided to retain the chain 396' between the guides 416 extending lbetween the sprockets 398 andY 404-, the guides 416 and the guide strip 4|'eibeing suitably secured5 t'o the frame I2 by means not shown.

As clearly shown in Figure 7, a g'liepot 4201's provided which is suitably secured t'rtlrie frame I2 and is arranged so that the dcvvelfpins 'impassing around the sprocket 404 will b`e= immersed therein, the lower endy portionv 422 of the" guide strip 4I8 being arcuately shapedto` partially surround the sprocket 4'04 to prevent glue from being thrown bythe sprocket 404 duringthe rotation thereof. It'will thusbe seen that the dowel pins 'l0 are delivered to a position immediately below the pinning; station 501 with a coat of glue applied thereto.f

12 Means, best shown in Figures 5, 7 and 12is pro'- vicled to raise or lift the sets of dowel pins l0 from the chain 306 as they pass below the pinning station 50, and to position the sets of pins 'between the blocks I6 that are spaced by the spacers 310 and 312 before the pusher plates 332 and 336 urge the blocks |6 together'. For this purpose; an elongated, U-shaped pin lifter 424 is provided which has aligned` pairs of notches 426 in the upper edges of the transversely spaced legs or walls 428' thereof. The pairs of notches 42e-correspond in nurnber and spacing to the` pairs of fingers 468 in each set, the arrangement being such that upon upward movement` of the lifter 424-V the walls 428 move upwardly from opposite sides of the chain 396 to engage the pinsl T6- adjacent the extremities of the latter to raise the pins T0 from the :lingers 408 with thenpins 'l0 being seated in theV notches 426. Thel lifter 4124 is mounted on the top of a guide column 430, the lower end ofwhich is formed ina post 432 slidably received in a suit'- ablev aperture', not shown, ina guide bracket 4534 for verticalniovement.

Y obviously, the action of me pin lifter 4214 must be properly timed with the movement ofr the chains' 336- and with respect to the actionT occur-l ring at the pinning station 56. Inasmuch as the arrival of pins 'l0 below the pinning station 56 may be properly timed with respect to the action of theA pinning station` 5I]v by' the length of the chain` 386 and the' spacing' of the sets of fingers 408 thereon, by virtue of the correlation be# tween the speeds ofthe shafts 8'4" and |42, it is onlyv necessaryY to properly regulate the vertical reciprocation of the pin lifter' 424' to the' rotation of the shaft 84. In the present form ofthe in vention, the necessary correlation between the rotation of the-main or'master shait 84 and the laction of the pin'Y lifter 424 is achieved by the construction best shown in Figures 5 and 12, wherein it wm be seenv that a rod 436 is 'fixed at 438 tothe arm 344, and is guided for reciproca` t'ory movement parallel" to' the pusher rod 334 by a tubular guide 446to an element of the frame |2.- A pin lifting or elevating arm 4'42'is pivoted at 444 to' the column 430', and at 446:' is pivoted tothe frame |'2 for verticalmovement Cam means isprovidedi to: swing the arm 442- upwardly during only'a portion of the movement ofthe pusher plate 326 toward the plate 332 so as toj raise' thev pins 70 carried bythe pinA` lifter 424 into' position betweenV the blocks I6, andL to hol'd the pinlifter 424 so elevated until the opposite ends of' the pins 10' haveY commenced to' bereceived in the` dowel pin receiving openings 368 in th'e blocks |61v after which the arm- 442" and; consequently, the lifter 424s are' quickly lowered to permit the, blocks H5L to be' pushed together; Such cam' means comprise-an' intermediate portionof' the armI 442y being for-med asi an inverted U-shaped portion 443' adjacent a camV 458 fixed to the rod 436. An arm 452 is pivoted, as' at 454; tothe portion 448 for horizontal swinging movement and is' arranged to cooperate withthe cam 450 in raising the arm 442; Thearm 452 is normally retained in the full-'line position shown in Figure 1'2 byv meansof a tension spring 456l connecting the end of the armf 452 opposite the `cam- 450l from thev pivot 454'"- to an ear 453 carried; by the portion 448; suchr spring 456 serving to bias the arm 452 againstanA adjustable stopV 460 threaded through` v the ear 468'. As will be' evident, upon an' inspection ot the drawings",l they arrangement is' such that movement of the rodi- 4136 to. the? right, as'vie'wedf Figure 5; will cam the arms 452 and 442 upwardly until the arm 452 clears the left end of the cam 456, after which the arms 452 and 442 drop by gravity. Upon return or reverse movement of rod 436 to the left, the vertical face of the cam 456 engages the arm 452 to swing the latter about the pivot 454, as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 12, until suilicient clearance is afforded for the arm 452 to swing back to its full-line position under the action of the spring 456, so that reverse movement of the rod 436 does not cause the arms 452 and 462 to rise. It will therefore be apparent that it is only a simple matter in properly positioning and shaping the cam 450 to attain the desired movement of the pin lifter 424, which will, of course, be synchronized with the action that takes place at the pinning station AI), and also with the movements of the chain 396.

Figure 6 clearly illustrates the position assumed by the structure at the pinning station 56 and the dowel pin lifting mechanism after the blocks I6 have been pinned together, it being noted that the spacer plate 412 has been raised and the vdowel pin lifter 424 has been lowered.

As previously described, the chains 52 move the blocks I5 after they have been pinned together to form a panel from the pinning station 56, and the chains 56 receive the panels from the chains 52 and move the same between the rotary saws 66. The structure 62 for holding the panels down during their movements between the saws 66 includes a weighted shoe 464 suspended by flexible straps 466 secured to a bar 468 carried by supporting portions 416 of the frame I2. The under side of the shoe 464 is beveled at 412 to facilitate the movement of a pair of pinned blocks I or a panel therebelow.

Attention is now directed to Figures 2, 6, 8, and 10 for an understanding of the hand-hold cutting assembly 64. A carriage or carrier 414 is guided for sliding movement transverse to the travel of the chains 56 and parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the frame I2 by parallel spaced guides 416, the upper surfaces of which are coplanar with the upper surface of the top 26, As clearly shown, the opposite edges of the carrier 414 are received in guide grooves 418 formed in the adjacent sides of the guides 416. In a manner analogous to the case of the pinning station 56, the blocks are pushed onto the guides 416 by the lugs 262 on the chains 56 against spring biased ngers 486 pivoted for vertical swinging movement, as at 482, and biased to the full-line position shown in Figure 6 by tension springs 484. The ngers 480 urge rearward or reverse movement of the blocks I6 against the urging of the chains 56, so that when the lugs 262 on the chains 56 clear the trailing edges of the blocks i6, the blocks I6 are moved rearwardly to engage the latches 486 pivoted at 488 for vertical swinging movement. A pair of frame members 466 and 462 transversely bridge the path of the blocks I6 as they move into and through the cutter assembly 64, and a pair of hold-,down strips 494 are secured to the members 496 and 492 to prevent vertical movement of the blocks i6, it being noted that the latches 486 are supported on the member 496.

The carriage 414 is provided with :an upstanding dang-e 466 between the guides 416 that projects upwardly above the surface of the guides 416. As will be seen presently, the carriage 414 is disposed in such a position that the flange 496 will not interfere with the movement of the blocks I6 onto the guides 416 by the chains 56, the pura pose of the flange 496 being to subsequently engage the side of the pinned block I6 and move the latter into engagement with the cutter 66 during reciprocation of the carriage 414.

The carriage 414 is reciprocated by means of a sectional pusher rod 498 that is pivoted to a depending bracket 566, as at 562, carried by the carriage'412 between the guides 416, such rod 498 being also secured to a collar 564 rotatable on the eccentric I54. The sectional pusher rod 468 is formed of a section 566 that telescopes into a tubular section 668, the rod 496 being biased to its extended position by means of a coiled compression spring 6m embracing the sections 566 and seated between collars SI2 and 5I4, nxed on the sections 566 and 568, respectively, so as to afford a pressure relief.

Since the reciprocation of the carriage 414 is caused by rotation of the shaft 146, it will be seen that the same operates in timed relation to the shaft 64, and, consequently, the other parts of the machine I6. Accordingly, the movements of the carrier 414 are timed with the reception of blocks I6 on the guides 416 and the seating of the blocks i6 against the latches 466, the eccentric |54 being so positioned on the shaft I4@ that movement of the carriage 414 towards the cutters 66 occurs during the time that the blocks i6 are engaged by the latches 466. t will, of course, be understood that the eccentric V54 is of sufficient throw to permit the proper seating of the blocks 16 before the latter are engaged by the flange 496 to be moved towards the cutters 66.

While the blocks I6 are being moved towards the cutters 66, they engage spring-pressed rods 5I6 that hold the blocks I6 in engagement with the ange 496, such rods 5I6 serving to move the blocks I6 back to the position occupied thereby before they were engaged by the flange 466 upon retreating movement of the carriage 414. As clearly shown in Figure 16, each of the rods 516 is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation through suitable guide apertures and guide members 516 and 526 suitably mounted on the frame I2. Each of the rods 516 is yieldingly urged towards the shaft 146 by a tension spring 522 connecting the rod to the guide member 516. in addition, each ofthe rods 5i6 is provided with an enlarged portion 524 that constitutes a stop that strikes the member 526 to limit movement of the rod 5I6.

It will thus be seen that the carriage 414 moves the blocks I6 into the cutter 66 driven by the motor 526 mounted, as at 526, to the frame i2, and that the rods 5I6, disposed on opposite sides of the cutter 66, urge the blocks E6 away from the cutter after they have been operated on thereby.

After a pair of blocks I6 have been cut to produce a hand-hold opening 12 and have been returned to the position occupied thereby before being moved by the carriage 414, the pair of blocks I6 are urged from the cutter assembly 64 by the movement of a subsequent pair of blocks I6 thereonto, the blocks I6 having been pinned and cut to form the completed product shown in Figure i4, being discharged from the machine i6 down the inclined apron it being noted that the ngers 486 swingto the dotted line position shown in Figure 6 to permit the product 66 to leave the machine.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that the operation and the benets attained by this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. While certain portions of the maonine' have teendesnbea inl considerans de: tai-l, the scope ot' the inventions not' to bedeem'ed limited such detailed iescrijzitioni.l Onthe other hand, other less novel features or' structuresreadily perceived upon inspection of the drawings have either been described briefly or orr'iit-v ted entirely in the description, such as various guide walls, along the travel path ot the blocks It, and so forth, in order not to unduly' extend"v this specification, itbeing' thought that such additional matter would tend to' obscure rather than point up the paramount features of merit of this invention. l

It should be further stated that numerous changes in the specific" construction oi?A the invention are contemplated', such as the' substitution of various equivalent coordinating mechanisms for the eccentric and cam means herein disclosed and described, and it is also` thought that further labor economy may be eiected in the use of the machine by the provision of an automatic means, not shown, for' feeding dewelpinsle to the chain 39S.

Since, from the foregoing, the construction and advantage of this machine are readily apparent, further descrip-tion is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications Vand' equivalents will readily occurV to those skilled'. in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings,i it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modications and equivalents may be resorted to which faillwithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

l. In a dowel pinning machine', a' support pl-'atform, a pair or spaced vertical bloclr' feeding chutes on the platform, a pair oi' spaced parallel endless conveyor chains mounted on the platform and extending below the chutes for' moving aV pair or" blocks along parallel paths on the platform, spaced and staggered block engaging means on the pair of chains for alternately engaging blocks at the bottom of the chutes and removing the blocks therefrom, drilling mea-ris disposed between the chutes and movably mounted for movement between the chutes' for selectively drilling dowel pin receiving openings in the' adjacent sides of blocks in the chutes, means for reciprocating the drilling means timed relation to the moved ent or" thel bl'o'cll: engaging means,A a further endless conveyor chainA arranged parallel to and spaced from one' ot the pair ofconveyorchains, spaced block engagingy means oni the further conveyor disposed transverse alignment with respect to the spaced block engaging means on the other'` of said 'pair'A of conveyor chains whereby the openings in blocks engaged thereby are in alignment, and means operating in timed relation to thc movements of the' biocliengagi-ng means onv said one conveyor ,chain to move a block engaged thereby from such eri-gagement and into the travel path' of the blcl engaging means of the further conveyor', whereby the individual blocks of a series o'f pairs of blocks are sequentially drilled and the blocks of each pair of blocks moved along parallel paths with the drilled openings therein in alignment.

2. In a dowel pinning machine, first, second and third parallel endless conveyor chains, block supporting means adjacent said chains, spaced means on eachv of thev conveyor chains ifor en" gaging andV moving a block supported by thesurr# what is piti'ng means, said last means oni the secondv cli-ainbeing"Y in transversealignment with respect tothe corresponding means on the third chain so that the dowel pin-receiving openings in al pair of blocks engaged by such means on the second and thirdl chains are inalignment, means disposed adjacent an end of said rst chain for moving a block from engagement with the block engaging means on the rst chain and into theA travel patl'i of the corresponding means on the t chain, whereby the dowel pin openings in ap of blocks may' be aligned,- means disposed adJ-ace'rit the ends of said second and thirdv chains for' periodically placing a dowel pin between- Blocks having aligned dowel pin receiving open` iiig andmeans adjacent said dowel pin' placing means operating iin' timed relation tothe last stated' means for the blocks towards each ether.v

31. In adowel pinning machine, first,- second'- an'd third parallel endless'conveyor chains, block siipportir-i'g mea-ns adjacent said chains, spaced means on each or the conveyor chains for enf'- gaging and moving abl'ock supported by the supporting means, said last means on the second chain being in transverseV alignment with re-` spect tol the correspondingl means on th'e third chainso that' the dowel pin receiving openings a pair ofblocks engaged by' such means on the' secrrd and third chains are in alignment, means' disposed adjacent an end of said rst chain for moving a block from engagement with the block engaging means on the first chain and into the travel path of the corresponding means on the' third chain, whereby the dowel pin openings in a' pair' c'ifrblocks may be aligned, means disposed adjacentthe ends of said second and third chains operating irr timed relation to the movements of the second and third chains for urging the blocks together, said last means including a pair ofA relatively movable members along a line transverse tothe travel path of the second and third clia'iii's'-,V and means disposed b'etween said movable members responsive to a predetermined relativfe'A movement ot the members to m'ove a dowel pin between' the blocks'.

4. n'a dowel pinning machine, first, secondv and third parallel endless conveyor chains', block sup'- porting" means" adjacent said chains, spaced means' on= each of the conveyor chains for engaging andV moving' a block supported by the supporting means, said last means on the second 'chainbeing in transverse alignment with res'pe'ct to the corresponding means on the third chain so that the dowel' pin receiving openings in a' pairI of blocks engagedI by such' means on the second and third chains are' in' alignment, means disposed adjacent an end of said rst chain fori moving a block from engagement with the block; engaging means lon the first chain and into the travelpath or the corresponding means on the third chain whereby the` dowel pin openings in a pair of blocks maybe aligned, means disposed adjacent' the ends of said second and: third chains operating in timed relation the movements of the' seord and thirdchain's for urging the blocksv together', said last means including a pair of relatively movable members along a line transverse to" the'travel path of the second and third chains, a dower pin support mounted between said movahle members f or' movement transverse to the travel path of the' second and third chains and also transverse to thev line of relative movement of the members, and' means for moving the dowel pin supportl response to a predetermined* relative-movement of the members, means connecting saidmeans for moving the. dowel pin. support and the. members. so, that: a; dowel pin supported by the doweLpin. support will be moved between a pair ofiblocksduring thetimelinterval; between movements ofthe members to urge the blocks i', og ether.V

5. Ina dowel pinning machine, iirst, second and third parallel endless conveyor chains,l block Supporting means adjacent said` chains, spaced means on each of the conveyor chains for engaging and moving a block supported by the supporting means, said last means on the second chain being in transverse alignment with respect to the corresponding means on the third chain so that the dowel pin receiving openings in a pair of blocks engaged by such means on the second and third chains are in alignment, means disposed adjacent an end of said iirst chain for moving a block from engagement with the block engaging means on the first chain and into the travel path of the corresponding means on the second chain, whereby the dowel pin openings in a pair of blocks may be aligned.

6. In a dowel pinning machine, a support platform, a first conveyor means disposed adjacent said platform for urging forward movement of a pair of transversely spaced blocks onto said platform, means carried b-y said platform adapted to yieldingly urge rearward movement of the blocks, said first conveyor means and the urging means being longitudinally spaced so that the rst conveyor means will become disengaged from the blocks upon a predetermined yielding movement of the urging means, latch means carried by said platform for limiting rearward movement of the blocks on the platform, transversely spaced members adjacent opposite sides of the platform for receiving the blocks therebetween, means operable in timed relation to the rst conveyor means for periodically causing relative opening and closing movement of the members to urge the blocks therebetween towards each other, a second conveyor means carried by said platform for moving dowel pins to a position adjacent the platform, and drive means operatively connected to the members for periodically moving a dowel pin from the second conveyor means to a position between the members so that upon closing movement of the members the pin will be forced into aligned openings in the adjacent sides of the blocks.

7. A dowel pinning machine comprising, a support platform, first and second spaced block feeding chutes, a pair of spaced parallel endless conveyor chains mounted on the platform for moving a pair of blocks forwardly along parallel paths on the platform, said chainsr having portions underlying said chutes, spaced and staggered block engaging means on the pair of chains for alternately engaging blocks in the chutes and removing the blocks therefrom, drilling means disposed between the chutes and movably mounted for movement between the chutes for selectively drilling dowel pin receiving openings in the adjacent sides of blocks in the chutes, means carried by said platform for reciprocating the drilling means in timed relation to the movement of the block engaging means, a further endless conveyor chain arranged parallel to and spaced from said rst conveyor chain, spaced block engaging means on the further endless conveyor that are transversely aligned with respect to the spaced block engaging means on said second chain so that the openings in blocks engaged thereby are-in alignment,l meansdisposed adjacent anl end of. said first chain operatingin timedv relation to the movements of the block engaging means on said one chain to Ymove a block engaged thereby from such engagement into the travel'path of the block engaging'means on, the further conveyon,meansadjacentthe ends of said second chain andsaid further conveyor for yieldi-ngl-y urging rearward movement of the blocks, latch means disposed adjacent said urging means for limiting rearward movement of the blocks, said blocl engaging means on the further chainand on said second chain being longitudinally spaced with respect to the urging means that the lblock engaging means will disengage the blocks upon a predetermined yielding movement of the urging means, means including a pair of relatively movable members disposed adjacent said urging means for urging blocks engaged by the urging means together, and means connected to actuating means for the members for periodically placing a dowel pin between the blocks engaged by the urging means.

8. In a dowel pinning machine, an elongated supporting frame, a pair of spaced block feeding chutes carried by said frame, first and second conveyors carried by said frame and underlying said chutes, vblock engaging means on each of the first and second conveyors for moving a pair of blocks from the chutes along parallel paths, the last mentioned means on the first conveyor being staggered with respect to such means on the second conveyor so that the blocks of a pair of blocks will be sequentially moved from the chutes, means carried by said frame between said chutes for sequentially boring'dowel pin receiving openings in adjacent sides of the pair of blocks prior to both the blocks being engaged by the block engaging means on the first and second conveyors, means carried by said frame for reciprocating the last mentioned means between the chutes in timed relation to the operation of the block engaging means on the first and second conveyors, a third conveyor mounted on said frame between said first and second conveyors, block engaging means on the third conveyor for moving one of the pair of blocks along a path parallel to the iirst mentioned paths, said block engaging means on both the second and third conveyors being transversely aligned with respect to each other so that the dowel pin receiving openings in the pair of blocks engaged thereby will be in alignment, means disposed adjacent an end of said iirst conveyor for moving a block from the block engaging means on the first conveyor to the block engaging means on the third conveyor, means carried by said frame adjacent the ends of said second and third conveyors for moving a dowel pin into a position between a pair of blocks and into and in alignment with the dowel pin receiving openings therein, and means carried by said frame adjacent saidlast mentioned means for urging the blocks together.

9. A dowel pinning machine comprising a supporting frame, a pair of block stackers, oppositely moving means for alternately drilling dowel pin receiving openings in the adjacent sides of two stacks of blocks retained in said block stackersA carried between the block stackers, spaced means carried by said frame partially disposed below said block stackers for alternately moving drilled blocks from the two stacks to a pinning station disposed adjacent said block moving means and also for arranging a block moved from one stack with respect to a block moved from the other 'therein aligned, means located between said spaced means and carried by said frame at said pinning station for positioning a dowel pin 'between blocks arranged by the last-mentioned means in alignment with the openings therein, and means carried by said frame at the pinning station for urging the blocks together.

- KERVIN D. REVELL.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Bond Nov. 27, 1894 v Number 20 Name Date Edwards July 29, 1902 Greenwood Mar. 10, 1914 Frantz May 4, 1915 Purdy Aug. 22, 1916 Lathim June 12, 1917 Littlefield May 8, 1923 Welch Dec. 4, 1934 Goff Dec. 12, 1950 Goff Apr. 10, 1951 

